PHIPPSBURG, Maine — A member of the Phippsburg Budget Committee was arrested Friday afternoon and charged with operating under the influence after allegedly crashing his car into a swamp just south of Morningside Cemetery on Parker Head Road.

Michael W. Rice, 51, of Phippsburg is scheduled to appear in West Bath District Court on May 21.

Phippsburg Police Chief John Skroski said Rice called him on his cellphone just before 3 p.m. Friday to report that he had driven into a swampy area just south of Morningside Cemetery on Parker Head Road, Skroski said Saturday.

Upon arrival, he found all four wheels of Rice’s vehicle submerged in the swamp. Skroski said Rice allegedly smelled of alcohol and was slurring his words.

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Rice allegedly failed a field sobriety test, so Skroski took Rice to the Bath Police Department for an intoxilyzer test, and issued a summons charging him with operating under the influence. He was released on personal recognizance.